A wedding an ocean away should feel just as much yours as one close to home. We plan full weddings across France, from Paris to the countryside, with a French and English speaking team who already know how the logistics (and culture) work. And yes, we have a French passport in hand!
Wedding Venues Near Paris
Planning Your Wedding in France
France gives you an extraordinary range of places to say "I do" — a hôtel particulier in Paris, a hillside estate in Provence, a château in the Loire Valley, a vineyard property in Bordeaux, a coastal terrace along the Riviera, even a river cruise on the Seine. Each region has its own character, and each comes with its own way of doing things.
France's civil marriage process has its own residency and paperwork requirements, which is why most couples handle the legal marriage at home and hold their ceremony in France. We also handle the parts that don't show up on a venue's website: permits for historic properties, contracts and vendor communication in French, and travel logistics for guests flying in from home.
You know what you want the day to feel like, and you may be planning it from thousands of miles away. We listen, bring our knowledge of France to every decision, and make sure each choice feels like yours. We love helping a day feel personal even when it's happening far from where you live. Whether that means a small ceremony in a Provençal garden or a full Parisian celebration with everyone you love in the room, we're here to help make it a reality.
The France Experience
Yes, but French civil marriage comes with requirements. It's not possible to get legally married in France as a tourist. The legally binding ceremony takes place at the mairie (town hall), and at least one partner must have lived continuously in the municipality for at least 30 days. Because of that, many American couples marry legally at home and hold their ceremony in France. We'll help you choose the path that fits your timeline.
Can Americans legally get married in France?
Mais oui! Our name isn't French randomly. Owner and lead planner Jennifer met her husband in Paris, and is now a French citizen herself. While most vendors in France do speak English, we are here to help translate contracts and communicate to ensure nothing is lost in translation.
What about the language barrier - Do you speak french?
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide travel guidance, suggest lodging near your venue, and coordinate transfers between the airport, hotels, and the wedding itself. We can also plan a welcome dinner and a farewell brunch so the weekend feels like a celebration from the moment your guests arrive.
How do you help guests traveling from the U.S.?
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and early October) are popular for their comfortable weather. Summer offers long evenings and lavender in Provence, and wine regions come alive at harvest. Peak dates book early, so we recommend starting your search well ahead.
When is the best time of year to get married in France?
It depends on the feeling you're after. Paris suits a celebration with energy, Provence and the Riviera suit sun and long outdoor dinners, the Loire Valley suits châteaux, and Bordeaux, Champagne, and Burgundy suit couples who love wine. Tell us how you want the day to feel, and we'll suggest regions that fit.
Where is the best place in France to have a wedding?
A year or more is a good rule of thumb, and sometimes longer for châteaux and sought-after estates on peak-season weekends. If your date is closer than that, reach out anyway, because availability varies by region and venue.
How far in advance should we book a wedding in France?
Most of our couples take a trip to France to explore venue options in person, do an engagement shoot with their photographer, have a beauty trial, a tasting with their caterer, etc, and then plan most of the other details from home. We'll help you plan a trip that makes the most of your time in France, and we'll meet you there!
Do we have to travel to France to plan our wedding?
Many châteaux host weddings. Each has its own terms: some are exclusive-use, some offer on-site lodging, and many have preferred or required caterers, music curfews, and guest limits. Finding the perfect venue for your celebration is one of our favorite tasks!
Can we get married at a château?
Nicole & will
Fête du Jour was able to bring everything to life; our wedding was even more beautiful than we could have imagined.
Izzy & james
Jennifer is calm under pressure, has a stellar network of vendors, and knows how to make every detail feel thoughtful.
Margaux & keith
Words cannot describe how seamless and perfect our wedding day was and that was all thanks to Jennifer and her team.
Client Love
Sam & Ayal
I didn’t have to lift a finger or make any decisions on the wedding day, which is exactly what I wanted.
Maria & jesse
She sent thoughtful reminders that kept everything on track without ever making me feel stressed or anxious.
chloe & brendan
I gave her a Pinterest board with a general vibe and she turned it into the most amazing garden party.
mary & steven
Not only is she professional and organized -- she has such a great heart. You won't regret hiring Jennifer!
Kerry & Luke
Deciding to work with Jennifer was the BEST decision I made when wedding planning.
Alexis & Cole
Jennifer felt like a built in best friend day of and somehow organized my crazy bridal party of 20.
brandy & matt
Jennifer is a dream to work with and she made every step of planning easy.
olivia & costa
Walking into my reception was breathtaking, she ensured that my entire vision came together seamlessly.
Shiqi & xi
She saved time and money for us, she was ready to do anything we needed, and did above and beyond.
pJ & petyon
We regularly said that hiring Jennifer was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding and the best money we spent!
sam & ric
When you choose Jennifer you're getting a friend, but you're also getting a no non-sense, in charge badass, who is going to get things done.
Caroline & Carlos
Everyone who attended continues to compliment us on our wedding, and it's all thanks to Jennifer's work.
angie & tucker
She set up every detail so perfectly, and made sure we felt absolutely no pressure throughout the day.
rashmi & peter
She in many ways kept me calm, cool and collected as I planned my wedding in 90 days and I cannot recommend her enough.
Nora & Sam
I hired Jennifer after I'd already done some planning and my only regret is that I didn't hire her immediately.
Nicki & Brian
Jennifer is an incredibly happy woman who wants her bride to be happy and stress-free!
paulomi & Sam
She kept me calm throughout the entire weekend.
Sarah & kenny
She made sure the entire day went exactly how we wanted to and somehow always made sure each of us had a drink in hand!
Dana & David
She had great vendor recommendations and suggestions for making our wedding more sustainable.
Olivia & Alex
Fete du Jour Events was hands down my favorite vendor.
madeline & will
If you want someone to hold your hand through this process, and make you feel as though your friend has you covered, Jenn is the girl for you!
Robin & will
There is organized, very organized...and then there is Jennifer.
martha & creighton
Jennifer is simply the best and her enthusiastic personality just makes wedding planning all the more the fun!
michelle & doug
Throughout the process she served as an important confidant and constantly reassured me that we were making good decisions.
michelle & matt
She was always available to bounce ideas off of and ensure no detail was overlooked.
torrey & john
From the beginning, she truly made an effort to get to know us as a couple and ensure our vision for our wedding became a reality.
nicole & matt
Hiring her was the best decision I made for my wedding by far!
Annie & stew
There are just so many details that have to fall into place, and Jennifer will make sure they all happen.
lily & philip
My whole family loved her because she's warm, funny, and a true professional.
josie & denny
She not only helped me plan and coordinate but fought for me when my other vendors weren’t pulling weight.
At the heart of Fête du Jour Events is Jennifer, a visionary planner whose journey from fashion and beauty editor to wedding planner brings the perfect blend of design sophistication and meticulous attention to detail. A one woman show has since transformed into a powerhouse trio with the addition of Michelle and Elise! Whether you're planning an intimate elopement or a grand celebration, the Fête du Jour Events team of DC wedding planners brings 7 years of experience, creative vision, and genuine care to make your special day truly unforgettable.
